Weardale Lithium Limited is a UK-based natural resources development company founded in 2018 to address the growing demand for domestically sourced lithium critical to electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing and renewable energy storage systems. Headquartered in County Durham, the company specializes in extracting lithium from geothermal brines using advanced methods that prioritize environmental sustainability. By combining lithium recovery with geothermal energy production, Weardale Lithium aims to secure a stable supply chain for battery-grade lithium while minimizing its carbon footprint.
The companies operations focus on transforming a former cement works site in Eastgate, County Durham, into the UK’s largest lithium extraction facility. This initiative aligns with national goals to reduce reliance on imported minerals and accelerate the transition to a net-zero economy. The company’s integrated approach—from brine extraction to on-site lithium processing—positions it as a key supplier to European and UK-based battery manufacturers, supporting regional growth in EV production and energy storage technologies.
Battery Technology
Weardale Lithium utilizes Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) technology, harnessing its partnership with global engineering firm KBR and French innovator Geolith SAS. Its system combines KBR’s PureLi® process and Geolith’s Li-Capt® technique to extract lithium directly from underground brines, a method requiring significantly less water and generating lower carbon emissions than traditional open-pit mining or evaporation ponds. The process involves injecting brine into a reactor where lithium is captured via ion-exchange materials, refined into battery-grade lithium carbonate, and processed on-site.
This closed-loop system minimizes waste by reinjecting treated brine back into the ground. By operating at ambient temperatures and using renewable energy for power, the technology reduces energy consumption and environmental disruption. The facility’s design includes an end-to-end workflow, with carbonization (lithium carbonate production) occurring onsite to add supply chain value before supplying materials to battery manufacturers. Weardale’s approach avoids the environmental risks associated with brine evaporation, maximizing resource efficiency and sustainability.
Recent Projects
A major milestone occurred in February 2025 when Durham County Council approved Weardale Lithium’s commercial lithium extraction facility, projected to become the UK’s largest operational site. Targeting an annual production capacity of 10,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate, the facility is slated to begin operations by 2026, following the demonstration plant phase.
In January 2025, KBR was contracted to license and engineer this demonstration facility, with initial production anticipated in early 2026. Concurrently, the company conducts continuous flow trials to fine-tune extraction efficiency and brine reservoir modeling. These efforts directly address challenges in scaling domestic production. Additional strategic advancements include participation in the UK’s Critical Minerals and Battery Strategies, reinforcing its role in national supply chain resilience.
Investors
Weardale Lithium has secured funding through select investors and government grants. Innovate UK provided support via a £1.4 million Grant–II award in September 2023, while the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) contributed alongside other stakeholders. Shares are held by Marechale Capital Plc, a significant shareholder, and the company completed a seed funding round in September 2023 to advance development. These backers reflect confidence in the UK’s lithium production potential and the economic benefits of the project, including £1 billion in local economic value and 125 high-skilled jobs upon full-scale operation.
Business Details
Location: Durham, England
Website: https://weardalelithium.co/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/77604165
